Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little Womenworking near, and father reading, in his pleasant voice,from the wise old books which seemed rich in good andcomfortable words, as applicable now as when writtencenturies ago, a little chapel, where a paternal priest taughthis flock the hard lessons all must learn, trying to showthem that hope can comfort love, and faith makeresignation possible. Simple sermons, that went straight tothe souls of those who listened, for the father’s heart wasin the minister’s religion, and the frequent falter in thevoice gave a double eloquence to the words he spoke orread.It was well for all that this peaceful time was giventhem as preparation for the sad hours to come, for by-andby,Beth said the needle was ‘so heavy’, and put it downforever. Talking wearied her, faces troubled her, painclaimed her for its own, and her tranquil spirit wassorrowfully perturbed by the ills that vexed her feebleflesh. Ah me! Such heavy days, such long, long nights,such aching hearts and imploring prayers, when those wholoved her best were forced to see the thin hands stretchedout to them beseechingly, to hear the bitter cry, ‘Help me,help me!’ and to feel that there was no help. A sad eclipseof the serene soul, a sharp struggle of the young life withdeath, but both were mercifully brief, and then the natural729 of 861